It is well known that hurricane Earl ripped a large hole in the port of Culebra, leaving the island without passenger service.
For the past two weeks, the people of Culebra have watched with frustration as the temporary dock to solve the lack of transportation was being built by only three men and given an estimated completion date of 10 weeks.
After September 15th's demonstration and meeting, finally, some improvement in the situation can be seen.
Today at least 10 men are working, and a fence is already in place, so the changes are easy to see.
A rumor of only one week until completion could be the salvation of Culebra, that is, if the Coast Guard approves it. (now I'm hearing possibly Monday, and a Captain told me he had heard TOMORROW!)
Culebra’s situation is one of crisis.
With no passenger service and only a single cargo boat shared with Vieques, tourism in Culebra became nonexistent.
Since the ferry dock was damaged in Earl. There have been virtually NO TOURISTS to Culebra.
We are told there is even a sign on the Fajardo dock that says, "Residents ONLY!"
We are told there is even a sign on the Fajardo dock that says, "Residents ONLY!" Flamenco Air and Vieques Air link's voluntary dismissal of all Scheduled flights due to FAA regulations has acerbated this problem to the point of panic.
This is noon on a Friday!
It’s like walking through a ghost town.
All the resorts and guesthouses report between a guesstimated 80 to 90% decrease from this same time last year. (Remember the economy? Last year was bad!)
Vacation Planners is reporting an 87% decrease,
Villa Bohem "At least 80% in decrease."
Jose Mayoral, the owner of Bahia Marina, said, "Last year at this time I was running at 30% occupancy, which kept my doors open, at this moment I have 0!"
Pasada La Hammoca “ We have no one, we’re at 0% occupancy, and the only phone calls are cancellations for the upcoming weeks!”
Outside of government jobs, the hotels and tourism-related businesses are really the only employment on the island. At the meeting here last week, the largest employers on the island all said the same thing "We can not afford to pay employees much longer!" They have forced their employees to take their vacations now because they have no work for them. Culebra’s economic situation is desperate!
Ken Ellis, who owns the Culebra Bike Shop, said. “I have had five customers since Earl hit. My wife and I are looking at what is possible to be done to make money to pay the utilities and rent, but on an island this size, there is next to nothing.”
Vieques is suffering too with this situation as there is only one cargo boat available for both islands while usually there are four.
1. The Santa Maria - Status: Non-operational 2. The Cayo Largo - Status: Non-operational 3. The Cayo Norte - Status: Non-operational 4. The Isleña - Status: Operational
The Isleña, although in operation, is operating on three out of four engines and has transmission problems.
The cargo boats usually make two and three trips daily per island. Culebra receives the Isleña while the Cayo Largo goes to Vieques.
The other two cargo vessels stay on standby. But the fleet is in such a state of disrepair that there is now only one vessel to be shared by both islands.
Culebra's normal schedule includes a passenger boat called the Culebra II that can carry up to 500 passengers at a time, making three trips a day.
Instead of five boats arriving daily carrying tourists, Culebra has received only two boats a day carrying supplies and residents only.
Amy Jo Richards
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